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Copyright Š 2000 by Solution Tree (formerly National Educational Service) 304 West Kirkwood Avenue Bloomington, Indiana 47404-5131 (812) 336-7700 (800) 733-6786 (toll free) FAX: (812) 336-7790 email: info@solution-tree.com www.solution-tree.com
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Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 978-1-879639-69-0
Contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Part One: Our Wayward Youth Chapter 1
Hazards in the World of Children . . . . . . . . . . 3 growing up in the twenty-first century
Chapter 2
Reclaiming a Prodigal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a parable for our times
Chapter 3
A Rootless Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 our modern prodigals
Chapter 4
The Broken Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 relationships at risk
Chapter 5
Pathways to Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 the making of a delinquent
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Part Two: The Road Home Chapter 6
Courage for the Discouraged . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 a fresh model for reclaiming
Chapter 7
Reparenting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 cultivating trust
Chapter 8
Redirecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 cultivating competence
Chapter 9
Reconciling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 cultivating responsibility
Chapter 10
Redeeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 cultivating commitment
Appendix A
Covenant of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Appendix B
40 Developmental Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Appendix C
A Life Space Crisis Intervention . . . . . . . . . 199
Appendix D
Resources for Reclaiming Youth . . . . . . . . . 207
Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 About the Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Foreword Lively and jargon-free, Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters blends the wisdom of great youth pioneers with the best research on positive youth development. This book also makes a strong case that, unless we nurture the spiritual dimension of young people, we fail to meet all of their needs. Moving stories of young people struggling to rebuild their lives are used to illustrate key strategies for replacing pessimism with a spirit of hope. The timing for such a book could not be better. There is a growing concern that something is wrong with a society that produces so many unconnected youth. Many of today’s educational and treatment systems actually discourage teachers, counselors, and youthworkers from forming close attachments with the youth they serve. But without positive bonds to adults, children often lack a moral compass. Connecting with youth must be a shared endeavor involving families, schools, youth professionals, neighborhood leaders, and members of the faith community. The authors bring an unusual depth and diversity of experience to Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters, drawing
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from a combined 60 years of work with challenging youth. Dr. Larson is a prominent leader in youth ministry who has published widely on the spiritual development of youth at risk. Throughout his long professional career, Dr. Brendtro has counseled thousands of youth—from runaways to violent teenagers. The synergy of their collaboration has produced a powerful, practical plan for reclaiming today’s troubled children and youth. —Arlin E. Ness President, Starr Commonwealth
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